HPs Top Lobbyist Logging Off

The head of global government affairs for tech giant Hewlett-Packard Co. is leaving after less than two years on the job. Larry Irving, a former White House technology adviser in the Clinton administration, will depart “to pursue other interests,” the Palo Alto-based company announced Wednesday.

“Larry’s unique perspective on business, technology and government has been invaluable to HP,” Michael Holston, HP’s executive vice president and general counsel, said in a press statement. “I fully expect that HP will continue to seek his counsel, especially in the area of federal technology policy, in years to come.”

Sources familiar with the situation said that HP wants to relocate its global government affairs chief to its California headquarters.

“Word is that Larry did not want to move to the West Coast, and the split was amicable,” one lobbyist said.

HP said it will launch a search for a new global government affairs head. In the interim, the company’s deputy general counsel for litigation, John Schultz, will lead the government affairs team.

The company tapped Irving in July 2009 after a several-months-long search. Previously, Irving had been CEO of the Irving Information Group.

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March 13, 2015

Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call

Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., right, hugs Harold Schaitberger, General President of the International Association of Fire Fighters, after the Congressman spoke at the IAFF's Legislative Conference General Session at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill, March 9, 2015. The day featured addresses by members of Congress and Vice President Joe Biden.